Ex-TV chef pleads not guilty to plot to hire homeless people to kill his wife

BERLIN — A synagogue in western Germany has been hit by an arson attack, with unknown perpetrators setting fire to eight corners of the building and throwing a Molotov cocktail against a window, prosecutors said Monday.

Ex-TV chef charged with attempted murder in plot to hire homeless people to kill wife

TV chef charged with attempted murder of wife

Sheriff’s official says killer of 2 California teens tells of ‘assault-type’ crimes

Official: Calif teens’ killer tells of more crimes

At mayor’s request, US Justice officials begin probe of troubled New Orleans Police Department

US officials begin review of New Orleans police

US Supreme Court denies appeal by former Ohio officer convicted of killing pregnant girlfriend

Ohio officer loses appeal in pregnant woman case

US immigration court grants asylum to President Barack Obama’s African aunt

US court grants asylum to Obama’s African aunt

Report: Nigerian police kill suspects at will, rape sex workers as a ‘fringe benefit’

Report: Nigeria’s police brutalize, kill suspects

Haitian court convicts American in ‘orphan’ case but she is sentenced to time served and freed

US missionary convicted in Haiti, but free to go

Iraq says it detained al-Qaida militant suspected of plotting attack on World Cup

Iraq says it uncovered al-Qaida plot on World Cup

Ex-TV chef charged with attempted murder in plot to hire homeless people to do killing

Prosecutors charge TV chef with attempted murder

Greek deputy minister resigns over singer husband’s millions in tax debts

Greek officials quits over singer husband’s taxes

‘Who rules Chhattisgarh’s Bastar, certainly not the government’

DANTEWADA - A string of attacks by Maoists at their will on state police, paramilitary forces and civilians around the 40,000 sq km Bastar region has led to a strong sense of insecurity among the people of Chhattisgarh who fear the rebels have established a firm grip in the forested interiors.

Murder trial begins for defendant, 74, already once convicted in 1966 police officer shooting

Murder trial begins in 1966 Pa. police shooting

FIFA to investigate Triesman’s claims that Spain wanted to bribe referees at World Cup

FIFA to investigate Triesman’s bribery claims

Slain girl’s mom: Killer trapped victim on fenced street, forced her into car

Slain girl’s mom: Killer trapped victim on street

South African security forces show off arsenal as suspected militant arrested for WCup threat

SAfrica seeks to reassure fans with security show

Maoists blast civilian bus in Chhattisgarh, 35 dead (Roundup)

RAIPUR/NEW DELHI - At least 35 special police officers (SPOs) and civilians were killed when Maoist rebels detonated a landmine targeting a bus in which they were travelling in a forested stretch in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, the same region where they slaughtered 76 security personnel over a month ago.

Climate Ground Zero says it may challenge $100,000 bail set for 2 Massey mining protesters

2 mountaintop mining foes held on $100,000 bail

Former NYC top cop, still claiming injustice, arrives at Maryland prison to begin 4-year term

Ex-NYC top cop begins federal prison term in Md.

Pittsburgh-area woman gets life sentence in prison for killing woman, cutting baby from womb

Pa. woman gets life for cutting baby from womb

APNewsBreak: Vatican rejects appeals by closed Mass. churches, including 3 in vigil for years

AP: Vatican rejects closed Mass. churches’ appeals

Need to revisit anti-Maoist policy: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI - Condemning the Leftist guerrilla attack on a civilian bus in Chhattisgarh, Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday said he was following a “limited mandate” and that the government would need to revisit the anti-Maoist policy.

Official: Red Shirt protest leader calls Thai PM’s aide on phone, proposes cease-fire

Protest leader calls Thai PM aide, seeks ceasefire

2 Australian priests accused of sex abuse continued performing church-related duties

Australian cardinal urges new action on pedophiles

Rethink of anti-Maoist strategy needed: Raman Singh

RAIPUR - Under immense pressure over his anti-Maoist policy, especially after the latest attack by the rebels killing 35 people in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh said Monday that a “rethink of the Maoist strategy is needed”.

3 mothers of detained US hikers leave Tuesday for Tehran; to ask Iranian leaders for release

Moms of 3 US hikers to leave Tuesday for Iran

Withdraw Operation Green Hunt, demands Kishenji

KOLKATA - A short while before Maoist guerrillas blew up a bus in Chattisgarh’s Dantewada district killing at least 35 people, their leader Koteshwar Rao alias Kishenji demanded the central government stop the anti-rebel Operation Green Hunt and the “killing of oppressed people”.

Former NYC top cop Kerik, guilty of 8 felonies, due in federal prison to begin 4-year term

Ex-NYC top cop to start federal prison term

South African police probing World Cup terror plot

JOHANNESBURG - South African police said Monday they were investigating report of an alleged Al Qaeda plot targeting the soccer World Cup, after a Saudi army officer was arrested in Iraq Monday, allegedly in connection with such a plot.

Red Shirts offer talks to end bloody Bangkok battles, as deadline to vacate protest is ignored

Protesters urge peace talks to end Bangkok battles

Maoists blow up bus in Chhattisgarh, 35 dead (Second Lead)

RAIPUR - At least 35 special police officers (SPOs) and civilians were killed when Maoist guerrillas blew up a bus in a forested stretch in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, the same region where they slaughtered 76 security personnel over a month ago.

Abducted UN workers released in Afghanistan

KABUL - Five United Nations staff kidnapped by militants in Afghanistan a month ago were released in a military operation Monday, an official said.

‘Military-style offensive, better local intelligence required’ (Repeating with correction)

NEW DELHI - The murderous attack on some 50 civilians and security men in the Chhattisgarh forest Monday has left India’s security experts shocked over how Maoists could strike with such impunity for the second time in 40 days. There is suggestion of a military-style offensive and better grassroot intelligence by befriending locals.

Chidambaram confers with PM as government condemns Maoist attack

NEW DELHI -Home Minister P. Chidambaram met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday evening as the government condemned the Maoist attack on “hapless civilians” in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh that left at least 50 dead, the second such murderous assault in 40 days in the state.

‘Military-style offensive, better local intelligence required’